“Attack on Gorilla City” represents the first half of the two-part episode with the return of Gorilla Grodd who was thrown to Earth-2 where he joined the group of gorillas from Gorilla City. As with many multi-part episodes, this one definitely does has the feeling of that first part; It features far more expose than actual action, and it hardly progresses much along besides the setup of the next episode. But, it does a fantastic job at giving a look into Gorilla City and the motivations of Grodd.

It’s easy to forge that Gorilla Grodd did indeed start on Earth-1 and that is indeed his home; this is something of which he mentions multiple times throughout the episode. It give you a strange feeling throughout the entire episode because it almost makes you feel bad at his predicament at first. It appears that Grodd is simply trying to save Central City and has taken Harrison Wells, thus triggering the STAR Labs team on Earth-1 to come help.

While his intentions were far from the purity of protecting his one true home, it did lead to an intense, yet fleeting showcase of top-notch action. In Gorilla City, invaders have to fight the King (in this case Solovar). This quick fight scene features some of the best CGI on the show to date and provide quite the filmic experience. With liberal use of slow-motion, the scene played out nicely and provided for the best (only?) fight scene of the episode.

Where the fight was to kill Solovar and stop him from attacking Central City, the STAR Labs crew quickly realize that Grodd has been playing them the entire time. Grodd wanted Flash to kill Solovar so that Grodd could reign king amongst the other gorillas; thus allowing him to attack Central City and take back what he thinks is rightfully his. I’ve always loved the way that they have showed how superior Grodd is to his gorilla counterparts.

The big fight allowed us to see that, while Barry will do anything to save Iris, he won’t change who he (or they) are. He realizes that taking a life (such as Solovar) would completely change who they are as people and that saving Iris by taking a life would be sure to result in disastrous effects moving forward.

Aside from the big showdown, my other favorite interaction was that between Caitlin and Julian. The unlikely couple seem to be moving forward with a relationship of unknown status. Pairing two completely opposite characters is always a lovely addition to a show such as this one, and I love the idea that they are chipping away at the hardened exterior that Julian has possessed since first getting to know him.

Things are a bit shaky on Earth-1 as well. Jesse Quick is kind of at odds with Wally because she is feeling slighted after learning of his powers. He didn’t keep in touch with her like he said he would, and she feels that he is now “complete” with his powers. The scene where he explains that he could have all the speed in the world and still be incomplete without her dances the line of being cheesy or settlement, but falls safely on the latter.

Editor's Rating

Overall–85%

As mentioned, this was definitely a setup episode, but it succeed far more than previous episodes of its ilk. it’s difficult knowing that there won't be any big resolutions to take place here, but they did a wonderful job of setting up what is to come in the next episode where Grodd travels to Central City.

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